33 replies to this topic

[chillr710]

Sold my GPS golf buddy platinum.

Im searching for a Range finder.

Got new sticks on the way and want to really workout my distances. Also, I think they are great idea for zoning in on parts of the fairway for distances eg: laying up etc.

But theres a lot to pick from. I'm not really within a budget... But if a 350aud is going to get the job done over a 700Aud one ill go for the 350 one obviously.

Bushnell V2? Callaway? Nikon? Bushnell Z6?

Whats the best and why? Help. Want one Today.

[esketores]

I've got the Nikon/Callaway. All I know is this past weekend I got 187 to the flag. My opponents both with range fingers (and I'm sorry to say who's I do not know) got 212.
They were getting the bushes behind the green. Me the flag.
I got closest to the pin with 15 of us playing. So sweet. Worth more than a skin that day.
Go compare Bushnell binoculors / scopes to Nikon's and tell me who wins.
Nikon makes optics/camera's for a living. No brainer to me.

[chillr710]

Thanks for the reply mate!
I was looking and was quite keen on the Bushnell / Hybrid range finder ( the one with the side mounted gps)  -
Ill check out the nikon stuff though! :-)

[Hateto3Putt]

Bushnell Medalist.

Same guts and Pinseeker technology as the higher priced V2's but cheaper.

[beutelwomb]

Not a laser rangefinder fan, bought a gbuddy voice and really like it, simple, cheap and accurate enough for me.

[avgjoe]

Leupold

[offapex]

you'll hit trees no matter which range finder you use, if you aim at the trees! I have a Tour V2 Slope. Work fine. Probably wouldn't get the slope functionality, doesn't seem too helpful. Think it really comes down to looks and feel in your hands.

[ruckus10]

Got the leupold gx-4i and flags with reflectors are great.  It locks on instantly.  Flags without reflectors can be hard to get the correct distances.  I like how small it is and enjoy the slope function.  Sometimes it's hard to gauge the amount of club you need on large increases without the added function .  I know it's not legal in tournaments but I never play in those so it makes no difference to me.

[rge]

I'm still partial to the Bushnell Pinseeker 1600 or even the 1500.  While they may be bigger in size, they are also more stable when obtaining distances because they dont shake as much.  I have big hands and the smaller rangefinders can sometimes be more difficult for me.  I've had my 1500's going on 4 years now with no problems whatsoever.

[Bobalu]

In actual use, the Bushnell Pro M1 and Z6 are far superior to the Razr Nikon/Callaway. Both are equally bright, but the Nikon's black LED distance numbers lack contrast and are located high-right in the field of view, instead of just below center as in the Bushnells. The Nikons are simply much harder to read, and are particularly sensitive to any sun glare. The Bushnell Pinseeker technology quickly locks on the flag and the red LED numbers literally 'pop'. Very quick to get exactly what you need. The Bushnell's numbers are not constantly changing like the NIkon/Callaway's active scanning mode (which you can't change). I considered a smaller rangefinder than my Bushnell Pro M1, and for some reason, tried a Nikon/Callaway because of the good online reviews.  Back to Bushnell for me. Battery life? Nikon does better. I'm carrying extra batteries in my bag for the Bushnell. Try before you buy, and decide for yourself.

[Sean2]

I'm very happy with my Leupold GX-3. It's small, accurate, robust, and easy to use.

[iamhuey]

bushnell 1500 with slope here, solid finder, little to no issues. battery will last me 30+ rounds.  had mine for over 3 years now.  combined with a garmin g5 approach.  prefer range better.
dont really think you could go wrong with leupold, nikon or bushnell. its just gonna be what you like

Edited by iamhuey, 17 November 2012 - 08:08 PM.

[KILLEDBYASHANKEDWEDGE]

I have the Bushnell 800 yardage pro. Good laser and has worked for years. They can be had pretty cheap these days.

[sompin2do]

+1 for Nikon/Callaway. Wanted to like Bushnell but after side by side in store the Callaway won. Reading all the negative feedback about Bushnell customer service on here made my decision even easier.

[Rustynuts]

Bushnell Tour V2 non slope, perfect

[Norboo]

Demanding little bugger aren’t we?  LOL

I own the Bushnell Pro M1 which you may or may not like the looks of.  They are all good, whatever fits your eyes, style and budget.  I honestly don’t think it’s any better or worse than the Nikon or Leupold, it comes down to matter of taste and preference.

I really do not think many posters on here has owned all the latest and greatest to be able to comment.  I am sure they have read reviews, tested them at the shop and maybe tried their friends on the course few times but not enough to really put it through the test.   Most posts are bias to what they own.   ...and that is no BS.  

Edited by Norboo, 18 November 2012 - 03:35 PM.

[volrus]

I HAD a Leupold GX-3i for about 8 months until I lost it somewhere between the 18th fairway and my car at Tobacco Road in Pinehurst. Thought for sure someone would turn it in, but I guess I had too much faith in people. It didn't get turned in...pissed away $400! I loved that thing and will probably buy another one soon. I loved the prism locking feature when it worked, but I rarely got it to work. Pretty certain it's due to my shaky hands.

[Jamboy72]

I have a pro m1 and love it. Can't go wrong with bushnell IMO

[lost&found]

chillr710, on 15 November 2012 - 08:07 PM, said:

Sold my GPS golf buddy platinum.

Im searching for a Range finder.

Got new sticks on the way and want to really workout my distances. Also, I think they are great idea for zoning in on parts of the fairway for distances eg: laying up etc.

But theres a lot to pick from. I'm not really within a budget... But if a 350aud is going to get the job done over a 700Aud one ill go for the 350 one obviously.

Bushnell V2? Callaway? Nikon? Bushnell Z6?

Whats the best and why? Help. Want one Today.

I've owned the Bushnell Z6 since it was released in spring of 2012.  Took me a few rounds to steady my aim due to the compact size.  The bright red LED readout is fantastic.  I would highly recommend the Z6.  If you want the same features in a larger unit, get the Pro1M.  You won't be disappointed with either one.

[Hstead]

I have a Leupold GX1 and it is lightening fast and easy to use, locks on quick up to 300 yards fairly effortlessly.  But, if I were buying a new one I would go Leupold GX3 as I love the red LED it is easier to see than my GX1.

[Instant Offense]

There's a reason nearly every pro you see has a Bushnell in his bag during practice rounds.... Simply the best there is. I have had the 1500, the 1600 and the Pro M1. All awesome.

[avgjoe]

Instant Offense, on 27 November 2012 - 08:48 PM, said:

There's a reason nearly every pro you see has a Bushnell in his bag during practice rounds.... Simply the best there is. I have had the 1500, the 1600 and the Pro M1. All awesome.

what makes the bushnell clearly better than all others?

[Instant Offense]

To me it's the quickest, most reliable, with the best display. Almost all upper level players use Bushnell both at the college level and the professional level.

[dalillama47]

Had a Bushnell 1500 for a while and switched to the Leupold GX-3.  Loved the red display and the prism lock, but kind of missed the size because of my shaky hands of the Busnell so I opted for the Pro 1M.  Fabulous rangefinder, big compared to the Leupold but the red display was what I was after.  Have since gone back to the Leupold GX-3i and the only reason was that on a rainy, foggy day, my Pro 1M was giving me crazy readings and on the Leupolds, they have a fog mode which IMO really put this above the Bushnell's for those not so perfect golf days.  Still a little shaky with the smaller unit, but it's so fast and you get better the more you use them.  Good luck, they're both great units.

[bigblue]

Instant Offense, on 28 November 2012 - 05:32 PM, said:

To me it's the quickest, most reliable, with the best display. Almost all upper level players use Bushnell both at the college level and the professional level.

I think the reason you see more Bushnell's is because they give them to the players. I have had both and in my opinion the Leupold is better but others may not agree and like the Bushnell better.

[ram01002]

bigblue, on 29 November 2012 - 12:16 PM, said:

Instant Offense, on 28 November 2012 - 05:32 PM, said:

To me it's the quickest, most reliable, with the best display. Almost all upper level players use Bushnell both at the college level and the professional level.

I think the reason you see more Bushnell's is because they give them to the players. I have had both and in my opinion the Leupold is better but others may not agree and like the Bushnell better.

+1

[mljones99]

I'm returning my Callaway RAZR to amazon.  too small for my hands and the active scanning is annoying.  Picked up a 1600 on eBay and I love it.  It fits my hands better so I'm steadier with it and I like the 'point and shoot' mode (it will scan if you like that kind of thing).

my skycaddy sg3 is on its last legs plus I wanted something for the range.

[MaxBuck]

I actually did a comparison at the local Golf Galaxy, including the following units; I've put my comments pro and con next to each.  I'm replacing a Leupold GX-4 that I left in a cart and obviously was not returned to lost/found.

• Bushnell V2.  This one would have been very cheap due to Black Friday sale ($200 after rebate).  But I found the numbers extremely hard to read: not a vivid black, but rather gray, and small.  Pinseeker worked very well finding vertical metal posts throughout the store, from 30-75 yards.  Good optics, and it's small and compact.  Blue silicone sleeve would help me not leave the darn thing in the cart.
  
• Callaway/Nikon Diablo.  I liked the red color - would make it more difficult for me to leave it in the d@mn cart!  Liked the vivid black numbers, too, and found then easy to read with any color background.  Locked easily onto pin-like vertical posts in the store.  But I found I needed to continually adjust the focus ring in order to get a clear view of my target.  I think that would be a pain in the neck in actual on-course use.  One can buy this online for about $230, so it's also pretty cheap.
  
• Leopold GX-3.  Like my lost GX-4, this little device works beautifully.  Sharp views of targets, highly-visible red numbers.  Pin-seeking takes a little getting used to in my experience but then works well.  Unfortunately the small size and black color means I would likely leave it in a golf cart sometime in the near future - like I did my GX-4.  Can't do that.  At least $300 but a good value, I think, for someone not so boneheaded or absent-minded as I am.
  
• Bushnell Pro 1M.  Performance-wise, this one is the best.  Very sharp optics, easy to hold, bright display.  Big white thing, so leaving it in cart not likely an issue.  But it is huge!  Bulky and heavy.  Since I walk most courses (including my home course, 3-4 times a week), this won't work well for me.  Costs at least $400 online, or $500 from brick-and-mortar retail.
  
• Bushnell Z6.  Nice white color, excellent optics with good depth-of-field (avoids the refocus issue of the Nikon).  Small and light.  Even though it galls me to spend $350+ for one of these things, ultimately I think this will be worth it.  It's my choice.

Bottom line: accuracy of these things doesn't really vary; they're all excellent.  Key is finding one that fits your individual needs.  Hope these observations help somebody.

[Chief Illiniwek]

Very helpful! Great reviews, thank you very much!

[Bumbershoot]

Sean2, on 17 November 2012 - 08:05 PM, said:

I'm very happy with my Leupold GX-3. It's small, accurate, robust, and easy to use.

+1  We've got two of these in the family, and the above is all true.